Free tools
Free tools for information reporting
43 practical, no-sign-up tools and plain-English guides for anyone who pays contractors, runs payroll or files 1099s and W-2s for clients, and for the contractors who fill out W-9s.
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IRIS e-filing FIRE is closing: how to file with the IRS's IRIS system yourself, or skip it.
- Guide FIRE to IRIS The IRS FIRE system takes its last submissions on November 19, 2026; from January 1, 2027, IRIS is the only way to e-file 1099s. Key dates, the TCC change and which IRIS option fits you.
- Guide IRIS Taxpayer Portal guide Step by step through the IRS's free IRIS portal: getting a TCC, issuers, what goes in each field, CSV uploads, statuses, recipient copies and corrections, plus a readiness checker.
- Tool IRIS CSV builder Convert your vendor spreadsheet into IRIS Taxpayer Portal CSV rows for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, checked against the IRS formatting rules and split into upload-sized files.
- Tool FIRE to IRIS converter Paste a FIRE (Pub 1220) 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC file to see where every field goes in IRIS and download IRIS CSV rows, with field-by-field mapping tables.
- Guide IRIS TCC application How to apply for an IRIS Transmitter Control Code: who you need, every page of the application, roles and TCC types, PIN signing and statuses, with a planner and printable worksheet.
- Tool IRIS corrections Correct or replace 1099s in IRIS: one-step vs. two-step fixes, the 60-day replacement rule, issuer errors and FIRE originals, with a step-by-step wizard and a UniqueRecordId builder.
- Guide IRIS A2A developer guide IRIS Application-to-Application filing for developers: TCC and API Client ID, XML structure, endpoints, ATS testing, with a UTID generator and XML text cleaner.
- Tool IRIS errors and statuses What each IRIS status means and what to do, why CSV uploads get rejected, and A2A errors decoded, with a CSV upload checker and business rule ID decoder.
- Tool IRIS extensions Request more time to file 1099s in IRIS: automatic Form 8809 extensions, the 1099-NEC and W-2 exception, bulk requests and Form 15397 for recipient copies, with an extension date planner.
- Tool IRIS 1099-INT, DIV and R templates Every column of the IRIS CSV templates for 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and 1099-R with its formatting rule, plus a row checker that tests your file before you upload it.
- Guide IRIS ATS testing How to pass IRIS A2A Assurance Testing: who tests, the communication test, the five-submission software test with CF/SF and corrections, test TINs and Help Desk review, with a test plan builder.
- Guide IRIS API Client ID How to apply for an IRIS A2A API Client ID: application steps, JWK and certificate rules, consent and access tokens, with a JWK checker and JWT claims builder.
- Guide IRIS for accountants Filing 1099s for clients in IRIS: the Transmitter role, who can use your TCC, the 25 saved-issuer limit, batches, extensions and corrections, with a workload planner and client tracker.
- Tool IRIS CF/SF state filing How the Combined Federal/State Filing Program works in IRIS: opting in, eligible forms, the 32 participating states and the two-state limit, with a CF/SF checker and state allocation helper.
- Tool IRIS recipient copies Furnishing 1099 recipient copies after filing in IRIS: portal downloads, due dates, electronic delivery consent and TIN truncation, with a consent disclosure generator.
Who to file for Work out which forms you owe, and to whom.
- Tool Do I need to file a 1099? Answer five questions about a payee to see whether you owe them a 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, W-2 or nothing, with the box, the 2025 and 2026 thresholds and due dates.
- Tool Contractor or employee? A 13-question checklist built on the IRS common-law test that shows whether a worker leans 1099 contractor or W-2 employee, and what to do next.
- Tool ACA ALE calculator Find out whether you're an Applicable Large Employer that must file 1094-C and 1095-C: full-time employees plus FTEs, month by month, averaged the IRS way.
- Guide 1099-K guide The 1099-K threshold is back to $20,000 and 200 transactions per platform. Check which apps, marketplaces and card processors will send you one, and how it interacts with 1099-NEC.
- Guide W-9 vs W-8 guide Which form to collect from a U.S. or foreign payee (W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8IMY or W-8EXP), and when foreign payments mean withholding and Form 1042-S instead of a 1099.
- Guide Information return directory Every 1099, 1098, 5498, W-2G, 3921/3922, W-2, 1095 and 1042-S explained in plain English: what it reports, who files it, who gets a copy and the basic threshold.
- Tool Do I have to e-file? File 10 or more information returns in total (W-2s, 1099s and the rest counted together) and you must e-file. Count your forms and see whether paper is still allowed.
- Guide 1099s for rent and landlords Who sends a 1099 when rent changes hands: businesses paying landlords, property managers paying owners, and landlords paying contractors.
- Guide 1099s for attorneys Attorneys get 1099s even when the firm is a corporation. When legal fees go on 1099-NEC and when settlements paid to an attorney go on 1099-MISC box 10.
- Guide 1099s for nonprofits and churches Tax-exempt isn't 1099-exempt: which form nonprofits and churches file for contractors, board fees, speakers, guest ministers, volunteers, prizes and rent.
- Guide 1099-S guide For closing agents and title companies: when a real estate sale needs a 1099-S, the principal residence exemption, who files, what goes on the form and when it's due.
- Guide Information reporting glossary B notice, backup withholding, CF/SF, CP2100, name control, IRIS, FIRE, TIN Matching and more: information reporting jargon in plain English.
- Guide 1099s for medical payments Medical and health care payments go on 1099-MISC box 6, even to corporations. Thresholds, insurers and self-insured plans, and what's exempt.
W-9s and TINs Collect the right details and catch bad TINs before you file.
- Tool TIN format checker Check whether an EIN, SSN or ITIN is even possible before you file: one at a time or a whole list pasted from a spreadsheet.
- Tool IRS name control generator Find the four-character name control the IRS matches 1099s on, for people, businesses, LLCs, estates and trusts, and decode TIN Matching result codes.
- Tool W-9 request letter generator Ready-to-send W-9 request emails for new vendors, year-end, second requests and name/TIN mismatches, plus a checklist for reviewing the W-9 you get back.
- Tool 1099 vendor list checker Check a whole vendor spreadsheet before filing: missing or impossible TINs, duplicates, DBA names, bad addresses and vendors under the threshold. The file never leaves your browser.
- Tool How to fill out a W-9 Line-by-line W-9 help for individuals, sole proprietors, single- and multi-member LLCs, corporations, partnerships, trusts and nonprofits. Pick your business type and see what goes where.
- Tool Do I need an EIN? Find out whether your business must have an Employer Identification Number, and how to get one free from the IRS in minutes, for sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations and more.
- Tool Client 1099 request letter For accountants and bookkeepers: a ready-to-send email asking clients for vendor lists, payment methods, W-9s and changes, plus a 1099 season workflow.
Deadlines and problems Stay on schedule, and fix things when they go wrong.
- Guide CP2100 & B notice guide What to do when the IRS sends a CP2100: first and second B notices, 24% backup withholding, and a calculator for your 15- and 30-business-day deadlines.
- Tool 1099 penalty calculator Estimate IRS penalties for late or incorrect 1099s, W-2s and 1095s, for both IRS filing and recipient copies, using the current per-form amounts and annual caps.
- Guide 1099 correction guide Pick what went wrong on a filed 1099 and get the exact fix: one-step or two-step correction, payer errors, missed forms and W-2c.
- Tool Year-end 1099 & W-2 checklist Pick the forms you file and get a dated November-to-March to-do list with weekend- and holiday-adjusted deadlines, to tick off, print or add to your calendar.
- Guide Backup withholding When the 24% backup withholding starts and stops, a per-payment calculator, and how to deposit it and report it on Form 945 and box 4 of the 1099.
- Tool Filing late 1099s Missed the deadline or a whole year? See how late you are, which penalty tier you're in today, and how to catch up on prior-year 1099s and W-2s.
- Guide Wrong or missing 1099? For recipients: what to do about a 1099 with the wrong amount, name or TIN, one from someone you never worked for, a missing 1099 or W-2, or a 1099-K for personal payments.
- Tool Due date calculator Exact recipient, paper and e-file due dates for 1099s, W-2s, 1095s, 1098s and 5498s for any recent or upcoming tax year, adjusted for weekends and holidays.
Reference
Filing guides
- Guide Filing deadlines IRS and SSA due dates for every 1099, W-2 and 1095, adjusted for weekends and holidays.
- Guide State filing guide Which states take 1099s through the Combined Federal/State program and which need their own filing.
- Guide Bulk import guide How to prepare a spreadsheet of forms so it imports cleanly the first time.
- Guide Spreadsheet templates Free Excel templates for every supported form and tax year.
Ready to file?
EFileForMe e-files 1099, W-2 and 1095 forms with the IRS and SSA, checks your data as you go, and can print and mail recipient copies.
These tools and guides are general and educational, based on IRS publications as we understand them at the time of writing. They aren't tax, legal or accounting advice, and results are provided as-is without warranty. Check the current IRS instructions or a qualified tax professional before relying on them.